Liverpool’s Callum Smith and Rocky Fielding will square off at the ECHO Arena on November 7 in a fight billed as one the biggest the city has seen in years.

The two unbeaten super-middleweights will fight for the British title, in a match-up that is also being used as a world title eliminator.

Smith is aiming to follow in the footsteps of his three older brothers, Paul, Stephen and Liam, in claiming the British title, while Fielding has aspirations of causing an upset - as he goes in as slight underdog.

However, the city’s loyalties will be split down the middle, as will opinion, on what is expected to be a classic on the waterfront.

The British Boxing Board of Control ordered the fight between the pair and with neither man willing to step aside, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn had little option but to get this fight on.

Both boxers are coming off the back of impressive performances in June, with Smith defeating Christopher Rebrasse over 12 rounds, on the same night Fielding destroyed Brian Vera inside two.

They may be fellow Scousers, but both also grew up boxing out of the Rotunda gym in Kirkdale - a gym with a fantastic amateur pedigree - so both know each other very well.

Now Fielding trains with Oliver Harrison in Salford while Smith works with Joe Gallagher in Bolton.

“It’s a massive fight; a fight everyone has been going on about,” said Fielding. “The city wants to see it; it’s going to be a cracking fight.

“I have always dreamed of topping the bill at the ECHO Arena and now I have my chance.

“I haven’t had it easy; I started fighting in a sports centre in front of a few hundred people but I’m now in a position to fill the ECHO Arena. It’s a long way from my first fight.”

He added: “I’m training hard and will be well prepared. I know I’ll get the win on the night.

“I don’t think it will go the distance. I’ve got the power to hit him and he thinks the same. But I think he’s a bit over-hyped and I’m under-hyped.

“We’ve done a few rounds back in the day in the Rotunda but I have the power to do damage. I think I’m the biggest threat to Callum in his career so far; I have proven I can punch.

“He’s had a few big fights but I’m the biggest he’s fought yet. I’m not going to shout my mouth off ahead of this fight; we respect each other, but I have my plan and I am wholly focused on myself, he’s just in my way.”